Snoring corrector



M. E. ROGERS 2,711,730

SNORING CORRECTOR June 28, 1955 Filed Feb l5, 1952 nl... im

INVE TORI @MM40/W A TTRN E YS Patented lune 23, 1.955

i tice SNRNG CRRECTOR Margaret E. Rogers, Ames, Iowa Application February 15, 1952, Serial No. 271,770 Claims. (Cl. 12g-164) l My invention relates to a snoring corrector characterized by being comfortable to wear, by tending to correct the cause of snoring so that the corrector can generally be dispensed with after a short period of use, and by not interfering with voluntary mouth-opening movements while it is being used.

it is an object oi' my invention to provide an antin snoring device operating on a different principle than previously known devices, and which will substantially overcome the problems associated with their use. lt is a more specic object of this invention to provide a snoring corrector which is comfortable to wear, does not interfere with voluntary mouth-opening movements, and tends to correct the habit of snoring in a short period of time so that its use can be dispensed with. Further objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

My invention is shown in an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a side elevational view of the head of a man wearing a snoring corrector constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, showing his mouth in closed position; Fig. 7., a view similar to Fig. l, showing the mouth of the man in open position; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the snoring corrector of Figs. l and 2; Fig. 4, a side view of the snoring corrector of the preceding figures in unstretched condition; and Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the snoring corrector in partially stretched condition.

This invention is based in part on the discovery that in order to overcome the tendency toward snoring, it is not necessary to forcibly hold the mouth closed or to obstruct the mouth opening, but all that is required is that the mouth-closing muscles be urged upwardly by a gentle, distributed force. For best results, it has been found that both the muscles holding the lower jaw in closed position, and the muscles holding the lower lip in closed position, should be urged upwardly. lt has been further found that this upward urging of the mouth-closing muscles can be accomplished with an elastic member in partially stretched condition so that voluntary mouth-opening movements are permitted by the further stretching of the elastic member without discomfort to the wearer. in actual tests of anti-snoring devices constructed in accordance with this invention, it has been found that they generally correct the habit of sleeping with the mouth open, and thus eliminate snoring in a short period of use. The reasons why this result is accomplished are not fully understood. However, it is believed to be associated with the generally upward urging of the mouth-closing muscles, which apparently re-educates these muscles so that even in deep sleep a minimum residual tension remains in the muscles, which is sufficient to keep both `the lower jaw and the lower lip in closed position. Therefore, it is believed that my anti-snoring device is more accurately designated as a snoring corrector, to distinguish it from previous anti-snoring devices which have no permanent corrective action.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a snoring corrector constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, and capable of achieving the results just described. The snoring corrector is designated generally by the letter A. It is believed that the most important element of the structure is a face-conforming sling lti which provides a chinreceiving pocket 11 between upwardly extending cheekengaging strips 12 and 13. Sling 10 is composed of an elasticized material, which is preferably smooth-surfaced and capable of stretching in two directions, but primarily stretchable in one direction. More specifically, sling 10 should be formed so that it is primarily stretchable in a lengthwise direction, but also to a lesser extent in a crosswise direction. An excellent elasticized material for use in forming sling lil consists of a soft rubber film sandwiched between outer layers of elastically woven cloth and adhesively bound thereto. Woven elastic material or webbing can also be used.

The chin-receiving pocket 11 is preferably of a concave configuration and shaped so that the deepest portion of the pocket, for example, approximately at 11a, is forward of the center thereof and lies between an upwardly extending portion 11b terminating just below the lower lip, and a rearwardly extending portion 11C terminating just in front of the throat. The pocket 11 can be formed most conveniently by constructing sling 14) of at least two separate pieces of material and connecting the separate pieces by transverse arcuate seam 11i. The curvature of seam 14 determines the shape of pocket 11, and, by varying the curvature of seam 14, pocket 11 can be adapted to different shapes and sizes of chins.

The cheek-engaging strips 12 and 13 of sling 10 should preferably overlie a substantial portion or" the cheeks of the wearer, so that the upward tension exerted by partially stretching strips 12 and 13, while they are held against the face of the wearer, will exert an upward urging on both the muscles holding the lower jaw in closed position and the muscles holding the lower lip in closed position. forward edge of strips 12 and 13 should pass upwardly around the lips and in close proximity thereto, while the rear edge of the strips should extend downwardly from the level of the ears towards the throat. More precisely,

. cheek-engaging strips 12 and 13 should be dirnensioned to overlie most of the quadrilateral facial area having as its approximate respective corners the point of the chin, the intersection of the throat with the lower jaw, the center of the front side of the ears, and the corners of the mouth. ln Figs. l and 2, these areas are shown to be substantially completely covered by cheek-engaging portions 12 and 13. Excellent results have been obtained by the structure illustrated.

Sling 1li should be equipped with support Strap means of adjustable length, designated generally at 15, connected to the upper end portions of cheek-engaging strips 12 and 13 for passing over the crown of the head to maintain sling 10 in partially stretched condition. Support strap means 15 can be composed entirely of inelastic material, but it is preferred that at least the portion passing over the crown of the head be composed of elastic straps or bands. For example, in the illustration given, the portion of support strap means l5 passing over the crown of the head is composed of crossed elastic bands 16 and i7. Bands 16 and 17 can be formed of bands having longitudinally extending elastic cords, since they need not be capable of stretching transversely. The use' of crossed bands over the top of the head has been found to be effective in preventing support strap means l5 from sliding off of the top of the head. The elasticized portion of support strap means 15, and particularly the portion passing over the crown of the head such as bands 16 and 17, should be of a much stronger elastic than sling lil. In other words, in the illustration given, bands 16 and 17 should require a considerably greater force to As indicated more clearl in Fins. l and 2, the Q elongate a corresponding distance than sling 10. This difference in the elastic strength of these elements is illus trated in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 shows a snoring corrector in unstretched condition, while Fig. 5 shows it in partially stretched condition. It will be apparent that the cheekengaging strips 12and 13 have elongated a much greater roportional distance than crossed head bands 16 and 17. The effect of this difference in elastic strength of the members is that substantially all of the flexing of the snoring corrector occurs in sling 10 during voluntary mouth movements while the sling is being worn. This greatly increases the comfort of the corrector, since the entire corrector does not flex as a unit from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin. This localized liexing action is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the mouth being shown closed in Fig. l and open in Fig. 2.

To further increase the comfort of the corrector and to facilitate its adjustment, it has been found desirable to provide an inelastic strap portion 1S and 19 on each side of the head interposed between the elasticized crown bands 16 and 17 and the cheek-engaging strips 12 and 13. In the illustration given, inelastic portions 1S and 19 are each formed from two superimposed pieces of material, being stitched to bands 16 and 17 at 20 and 21, and are provided with longitudinally spaced eyes 22 and 23 in the outer pieces of material. The upper end portions of cheeksengaging strips 12 and 13 are stitched at 24 and 25 to elastic loop straps 26 and 27. Threaded on the loop of straps 26 and 27 are fasteners 2S and 29, which provide strap-receiving slots 2go and 29a at their lower ends, and hooks 2gb and 29h at their upper ends. Hooks 23h and 29b are received within eyes 22 and 23 respectively for adjusting the length of strap support means 15. It has been found preferable to provide means for adjusting the length of strap support means 15 on each side of the head, and preferably hook and eye means of the type illustrated, so that equal tension will always be exerted on each of the cheek-engaging strips 12 and 13 by seating the hooks in the corresponding eyes.

The operation of the device has already been indicated in the above discussion. All that is required is that the chin of the wearer be inserted in pocket 11 and strap support means 15 placed over the crown of the head with hooks 28h and'29b engaging corresponding eyes 22 and 23 in the inelastic portions 18 and 19. The tension is preferably adjusted so that cheek-engaging strips 12 and 13 are in partially stretched condition, and it is not necessary to stretch the strips to the point that the wearer will experience noticeable discomfort. Strips 12 and 13 will cling to the face of the wearer and exert an upward urging on the mouth-closing muscles, while not interfering with voluntary mouth-opening movements. In actual tests of a snoring corrector constructed substantially as the one illustrated in the drawing, it was found to be highly effective in immediately stopping snoring, and also in correcting the habit of snoring.

While in the foregoing specification a specic embodiment of this invention has been set forth in detail for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent that many of the details set forth can be varied widely without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A snoring corrector, comprising a sling composed of an elasticized material adapted to conform to the face of the wearer and providing a concave pocket for receiving the chin of the wearer between upwardly extending strips for engaging the cheeks of the wearer, said strips being composed entirely of an elasticized material and said sling being primarily stretchable in a lengthwise direction but also to a lesser extent in a crosswise direction, and support strap means of adjustable length con nected to the upper end portions of said strips for passing over the crown of the head to maintain said sling in partially stretched condition, whereby a tendency toward snoring can be overcome by a gentle upward urging of the mouth-closing muscles without interfering with voluntary mouth-opening movements.

2. A snoring corrector, comprising a sling composed of an elasticized material adapted to conform to the face of the wearer and providing a pocket for receiving the chin of the wearer between upwardly extending strips for engaging the cheeks of the wearer, said strips being composed entirely of an elasticized material and said sling being primarily stretchable in a lengthwise direction but also to a lesser extent in a crosswise direction, the portion of said pocket adapted to engage the point of the chin of the wearer being forward of the center thereof and lying between an upwardly extending portion ter minating just below the lower lip and a rearwardly extending portion dimensioned to terminate just in front of the throat of the wearer, and support strap means of adjustable length connected tothe upper end portions of said strips for passing over the crown of the head to maintain said sling in partially stretched condition, whereby a tendency toward snoring can be overcome by a gentle upward urging of the mouth-closing muscles with- Vout interfering with voluntary mouth-opening movements.

3. A snoring corrector, comprising a sling composed of elasticized material adapted to conform to the face of the wearer and providing a pocket for receiving the chin of the wearer between upwardly extending strips for engaging the cheeks of the wearer, said strips being composed entirely of an elasticized material, and support strap means of adjustable length connected to the upper end portions of said strips for passing over the crown of the head to maintain said sling in partially stretched condition, said support strap means being provided with adjustment means on each side of the head and having a continuous portion extending over the crown of the head composed of elastic band means, whereby a tendency toward snoring can be overcome by a gentle upward urging of the mouth-closing muscles without interfering with voluntary mouth-opening movements.

4. A snoring corrector, comprising a sling composed of elasticized material adapted to conform to the face of the wearer and providing a pocket for receiving the chin of the wearer between upwardly extending strips for engaging the cheeks of the wearer, and support strap means of adjustable length connected to the upper end portions of said strips for passing over the crown of the head to maintain said sling in partially stretched condition, said support strap means providing relatively inelastic strap portions on each side of the head having their upper end portions secured to crossed elastic bands adapted to extend over the crown of the head, whereby a tendency toward snoring can be overcome by a gentle upward urging of the mouth-closing muscles without interfering with voluntary mouth-opening movements.

5. A snoring corrector, comprising a sling composed of elasticized material adapted to conform to the face of the wearer and providing a pocket for receiving the chin of the wearer between upwardly extending strips for er1- gaging the cheeks of the wearer, and support strap means of adjustable length connected to the upper end portions of said strips for passing over the crown of the head to maintain said sling in partially stretched condition, said support strap means having an elastic portion extending over the crown of the head requiring considerably greater force to elongate a corresponding distance than said sling, whereby a tendency toward snoring can be overcome by a gentle upward urging of the mouth-closing muscles without interfering with voluntary mouth-opening movements.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 955,562 Thomas Apr. 19, 1.910 1,247,222 Caufman Nov. 20, 1917 1,296,946 Galiardo Mar. 1l, 1919 2,044,521 Weiland et al. June 16, 1936 

